Washing apparatus



April 18, 1939. a. w; JONES WASHING APPARATUS Original Filed April 26, I954 'Ha Inventor: Benjamm W. Jones,

His Attorney.

Patented Apr. 18, 1939 WASHING APPARATUS Benjamin W. Jones, Schenectady, N. Y., assignor to General Electric Company, a corporation of New York Application April 26, 1934, Serial No. 722,420. Renewed August 18, 1938 20 Claims.

This invention relates to washing apparatus, more particularly to apparatus for washing dishes, and it has for its object the provision of improved apparatus of this character which can be manually controlled to effect each one of a plurality of cleansing steps, as desired, such as washing and rinsing operations, and which, if it is desired, will automatically eitect acomplete 1o washing and rinsing cleansing steps.

While not limited thereto, this invention has particular application to dishwashing apparatus wherein a cleansing fluid, such as water,is circulated or hurled in the washing vat by suitable power driven means, such as a motor driven impeller, so as to efiect a cleansing action on the dishes supported in the vat.

In accordance with this invention, suitable valves are provided for controlling the admission of the cleansing fluid to and the drainage of soiled fluid from the vat. When the fluid supply valve is open to permit fluid to flow to the vat while the drain valve is closed to cause it to accumulate in the vat, and the impeller is operated by its motor, the impeller will engage the accumulated fluid to circulate it in the washing vat so as to effect a washing action on the dishes supported within the vat.

Means are also provided in the vat for actint; upon the water supplied to the vat so as to circulate it in the vat in spray form to effect a rinsing action on the dishes in the vat. This rinsing action takes place as long as fluid is supplied to the vat and the drain valve is held in its openposition to prevent the accumulation of fluid in the vat for agitation or circulation by the impeller proper.

In other words, if fluid is supplied to the vat and the drain is closed while the impeller is operated, the apparatus will wash the dishes, whereas if the drain is open under similar conditions, the apparatus will rinse the dishes. This invention contemplates the provision of improved means for controlling the operation of the fluid i5 supply and drain valves and the impeller motor, whereby these members can be operated either manually or automatically as desired, so as to effect these washing and rinsing actions.

In one form of this invention, the fluid supply 50 and drain valves areoperated by suitable electroresponsive means, such as electromagnetic devices. These electromagnetic devices, as well as the impeller driving motor, are controlled by means of a plurality of switches, which in turn,

55 in one form of this invention, are operated by a or a partial timed washing cycle, which includes plurality of cams. These cams are arranged to be operated either by a manually operable control member or automatically by a program motor, which itself is controlled by means of a cam operated switch under the joint control of the 5 manually operable control member and the program motor.

The cams are so arranged that the control member when moved manually to selected positions within a predetermined range of its move- 10 ment will effect a manual control of the electromagnets and the impeller motor to effect either rinsing or washing actions on the dishes, as desired, and further, when moved to a controlling position beyond this range will effect the opera- 16 tion of the program motor to drive the cams so as to effect a predetermined cleansing cycle including both rinsing and washing steps. The program motor upon the completion of the cycle is automatically operated to stop.

The parts are further so arranged that it is unnecessary to eflect the rinsing and cleansing steps in any predetermined order. Thus, either one of the cleansing steps can be effected by the manual control without the other, and any step can be eliminated from the automatic cycle of the program motor, as desired.

For a more complete understanding of this invention, reference should be had to the accompanying drawing in which Fig. 1 is a fragmentary 30 elevation of dishwashing apparatus embodying this invention, portions being broken away and portions being shown in section so as to illustrate certain details of construction; Fig. 2 is a fragmentary plan view taken on an enlarged scale 35 of a portion of the apparatus of Fig. l; and Fig.

3 is a diagrammatic representation of certain elements oi. the washing apparatus of Fig. 1, together with certain control means provided therefor and arranged in accordance with this inven- 40 tion.

Referring to the drawing, this invention is shown in one form as applied to dishwashing apparatus comprising a washingvat Ill. The vat It), as shown, is supported in anEipright position in a suitable rectangular casing efined by front and rear walls ii and I2 and a pair of side walls II. These walls as well as the vat Ill preferably will be formed of a suitable sheet material, such as steel, preferably enameled. The vat ID is shaped to define a relatively deep chamber, preferably square in cross-section. It will be understood that the vat will be supported at its upper end by the upper walls of the casing in any suitable manner, the details of which are not shown because they form no part of this invention. It will also be understood that the vat |0 will be provided with a suitable cover member (not shown) which is secured to the casing by means of suitable hinges H, and which is provided with a handle or knob l5 whereby it can be moved conveniently between its open and closed positions.

It is to be understood that suitable removable open-work baskets or racks will be provided in the lower and upper portions of the vat. Only the lower rack I6 is shown. While any suitable racks may be used, it is preferable to use the racks described and claimed in the copending application of Forrest A. Walker, Ser. No. 621,042, filed July 6, 1932 and assigned to the Walker Dishwasher Corporation.

The bottom wall of the vat ID, as shown, is provided with a plurality (four) of inclined. portions I which slope downwardly toward the center of the bottom of the vat and terminate in an opening l8 arranged centrally of the vat.

In the lower portion of the vat above the opening l8 isa suitable impeller 20 arranged to rotate on an axis substantially coaxial with the central vertical axis of the opening IS. The impeller 20 is operated by means of an electric motor 2| below the bottom wall of the vat and having its shaft 22 extending through the opening |8 into the vat where it is mechanically connected with the impeller 20. The motor is supported from the bottom wall of the vat by means of a bushing 23. This bushing is provided with a horizontal annular flange 24 which rests upon the bottom wall of the vat, as shown, and with a cylindrical portion 25 extending downwardly through the opening l8. This portion functions to support an apron 28 to which the motor 2| is secured. The apron 26 is mechanically secured to the depending portion 25 by means of a plurality of circumierentially spaced set screws 21, only one of which is shown.

The impeller 20 is provided with blades which may have any suitable shape, the important feature being that the blades be given a shape such that the cleansing fluid placed in the lower por- Lion of the vat and allowed to accumulate therein will be thrown upwardly and outwardly in an efficient manner through the dish-supporting trays by the rotary motion of the impeller.

Suitable cleansing fluid, such as hot water, is introduced into the vat through the medium of a suitable spray device comprising a reactance nozzle member 28. Water is supplied to the nozzle member by means of suitable conduit means including a pair of upright conduits 30 and 3| disposed on opposite sides of the impeller 20, as clearly shown in Fig. 1. The conduits 30 and 3| communicate at their lower ends with a suitable ring-shaped conduit member 32 resting on the bottom wall of the vat. The conduits 30 and 3| at their upper ends communicate with the reaction spray device by means of a conduit 33 which also functions to support the spray device. The spray device 28 together with its conduits 3|, 32 and 33 are described and claimed in a copending application of Jesse H. Clark, Ser. No. 653,243, filed January 24, 1933, and assigned to the Walker Dishwasher Corporation. Water is supplied to the ring conduit 32 by means of a conduit 34 which, as shown, enters the vat through a suitable aperture provided for it in the bottom wall; this conduit in turn communicates with a conduit 35 which in its turn communicates controlling valve 31. The valve is biased to its closed. position by a spring 31a and is opened by means or an electromagnet 31b.

A drainage port 38 is provided in the lower portion of the bottom wall of the vat. This outlet or port 38 communicates with a drain chamber 3! which in turn communicates with a drain conduit or discharge 0.

The drain port 33 is controlled by' means of a drain valve 4| which, as shown, is carried by an arm 42 which is arranged to rotate on a shaft 43. The arm 42 is provided with an extension 44 on the side of the shaft opposite the valve 4|, and cooperating with this extension is a suitable tension spring 45 arranged to bias the valve to its open position. The valve is moved to its closed position against the bias of the spring 45 by means of an electroresponsive device 55 such as a suitable electromagnet. The armature 41 of this electromagnet is connected with the lever 42 by means of a link 48 so that when the electromagnet is energized to attract its armature, the link will be moved, so as to operate the valve to its closed position. Preferably, the link 48 will have a resilient connection 50 to the lever extension 44.

Means are provided for injecting a suitable detergent into the washing vat ID at the proper time during the washing cycle. The detergent injecting means comprises a suitable container or receptacle 5| in which the detergent will be placed, preferably in liquid form. This liquid detergent may be formed of a solution of any suitable cleansing material in water. The upper end of the supply cylinder communicates with the washing vat l0 by means of a conduit 52 communicating with the upper end of the cylinder and with the vat, as shown in Fig. 1. A predetermined amount of the solution in the cylinder 5| is caused to flow into the vat by causing an equal amount of water to flow into the lower end of the container. This introduction of water into the lower end of the container forces the solution in the upper portion of the container to flow through the passageway 52 to the vat.

Water is supplied to the lower end of the cylinder 5| from the supply source 35 by means of a conduit 53 which communicates with the source of supply 36 through a valve 54 and the control valve 31.

The conduit 53 at its upper end communicates with a conduit 55 within the cylinder 5| which opens into the lower end of the cylinder. Arranged transversely of the detergent cylinder above the opening of the conduit 55 is arranged a suitable screen 55 which serves to spread or diifuse the water admitted by the conduit 55 through the lower portion of the detergent material within the cylinder. Diffusion of the water is particularly useful if the detergent include a solid material dissolved in the water, because it spreads the incoming water over the entire lower surface of any of the solid material which might have gravitated to the bottom of the container.

The valve 54, like the valve 31, is biased to its closed position by means of a spring 54a, and is opened against the bias of the spring by means of an electromagnet 54b. If desired, and it is preferable to do so, the two valves may be incorporated in a -single housing 51, as shown, the valve 54 being arranged so that it cannot possibly admit water to the conduit 53 unless the main inlet valve 31 is opened. If this latter valve is with a suitable water supply source 35 through a opener to permit water to flow into the vat, and u the valve 56 is then opened, some of the water flowing from the supply source 36 will be diverted to the detergent cylinder 5] through the conduits 53 and 55.

In the operation of the washing apparatus thus far described, it is contemplated that when water is supplied to the vat from the source 36, it will issue from the reaction spray device 26 so as to effect a rinsing action on the dishes in the rack. This operation will be effected as long as water is suppliedto the vat and providing the drain valve ll is in its open position to allow the water gravitating to the bottom of the vat to flow freely into the drain 39. If, on the other hand, water is supplied to the vat and the drain valve 4| is closed, the water gravitating to the bottom of the vat will accumulate therein and will be picked up and circulated by the impeller 26 upwardly and outwardly in the vat through the dish-supporting racks so as to effect a washing action on the dishes supported in these racks. In other words, the position of the drain valve 4| determines whether a rinsing or a washing action will be effected. 1

In accordance with this invention, suitable means are provided for controlling the operation of the impeller motor 2|, the fluid supply valve 31, the drain valve if and the detergent valve 54 so as to effect a predetermined cleansing cycle including both rinsing and washing operations, in certain of which detergent is supplied to the vat. It is contemplated that the control means will include a manually operable member, whereby either a washing or a rinsing action can be had, as desired at the will of the attendant, the particular washing action continuing as long as the control member is allowed to remain in a corresponding controlling position; and further, the provision of means for automatically effecting a cleansing cycle including both rinsing and washing steps without man.- ual effort on the part of the attendant.

The control means is shown diagrammatically. in Fig. 3. This control means comprises switches 66, 6|, 62 and 63 for controlling the energization of the impeller driving motor 2|, the electromagnetic device 3lb controlling the inlet valve 31, the electromagnetic device 542) controlling the detergent valve 54, and the electromagnetic device 66 controlling the operation of the drain valve II respectively. These switches 66, 6|, 62 and 63 are controlled by means of earns 64, 65, 66 and 61 respectively. These cams are mounted upon a common operating shaft 68. The electromagnets and the motors are energized from a suitable source of electrical supply 69.

The operating shaft 66 is controlled by means of a-manually operable control member 16 and by means of a. program motor II. The energization of the program motor II is controlled by means of a switch 12 which in turn iscontrolled by means of a cam 13 mounted upon the cam shaft 66.

The cams 64, 65, 66, 61 and I3 are arranged upon the shaft 66 so that when the control member I6 is moved to preselected controlling positions within a certain controlling range of movement, the motor 2! and the fluid supply and drain valves 31 and ll will be controlled so as to effect certain cleansing operations in accordance with theposition of the control member 10 so that the machine is under the manual control of the attendant, and are further so arranged that when the control member I0 is moved beyond this manual range control, it will effect the energization of the program motor H to operate thecams mechanically to effect a predetermined cleansing Thus for example, indications, such as Ofl, 1

Motorf, Rinse, Wash, Rinse Auto provided, as clearly shown in Fig. 2.

Signal means are provided for giving an indication when the control member 16 is moved from its Off position to its controlling positions to effect the washing actions so as to warn the attendant that the machine is operating. This signal means comprises an incandescent lamp l4 energized from the source 69. The energization of the lamp is controlled by means of a switch 15 which in turn is operated by means of a cam 16 mounted upon the cam shaft 66. The lamp 14 preferably will be arranged in the top 2; the casing directly under the control member dow 11 is provided over the lamp in the top wall of the casing. The cam 16 is arranged so as to energize the lamp 14, when the control member 46 is moved from its Off to .any of its controlling positions.

The switches 66, 6|, 62, 63, 15 and 12, together with their controlling cams 64, 65, 66, 61, I6 and I3, and also the program motor H are all arranged into a compact unitary structure, as clearly shown in Fig. 1. preferably arranged in the lower portion of the casing below the washing vat, and the control member 10 located at the top of the vat is mechanically connected to drive the shaft 66 by means of a flexible shaft 18. It will be understood that the control unit including the switches, cams and timing motor may be positioned in any suitable location within the casing and that the control member 16 can be suitably connected with it by means of the flexible shaft I6.

Under certain conditions of operation, as will be pointed out hereinafter, the control member 10 operates the shaft 66 independently of the program motor H. In other words, under these conditions, while the shaft 66 is being operated, the program motor will be stationary. In order to provide for this control, the program motor is mechanically connected with the shaft 66 through a friction clutch 60 which will provide for relative etc. are

movement between the shaft 66 and the motor having a single phase energizing winding 'IIb,

and with suitable shading coils (not shown) for producing a rotating magnetic field. The motor is further provided with a suitable rotor Hc mounted within the rotating magnetic fleld produced by the field member. The rotor is capable of starting from rest and rotating in exact synchronism with the rotating magnetic field. Within a casing 1 id is suitable reduction gearing'(not A suitable transparent or translucent win- This unitary structure is shown). The motor is connected with the shaft as throuxh further reduction gearing 1le so that while the motor operates at a very high speed the cam shaft will be driven at a relatively low speed.

My invention further contemplates the provision of suitable means for automatically controlling the quantity of water supplied to the vat for the washing step in accordance with the load imposed on the motor 2| so that the water is cut on when this load attains a predetermined magnitude, that is, when a predetermined quantity of water has been supplied to the vat. This control will be described in conjunction with the description of the operation of the apparatus that follows.

In certain applications, it is desirable that it be possible to operate the impeller motor 2| while eifectlng no washing action whatsoever upon the dishes in the vat so that the motor can be utilized to drive auxiliary appliances, such as mixing devices and the like. My control provides for this independent drive of the motor. The motor 2|, as shown in Fig. 1, is connected to drive a pulley 88 by means of a belt drive 88a. The pulley in turn drives a flexible shaft 81 which extends to the top wall of the casing where it is mechanically connected with a driving socket 88. It will be understood that when the motor 2| is energized, it will drive this socket member 88 into which any driving spindle of an appliance may be inserted to drive the appliance.

My washing apparatus operates as follows:

With the control member 18 in its oil position, as shown in the drawing, the cams will be in such positions that all of the switches associated therewith will be opened and the corresponding electrical devices controlled by the switches will be deenergized. Under such conditions, the inlet valve 31 will be closed, the drain valve 8i will be opened and the detergent valve 58 will be closed; and the impeller motor 2|, the program motor 1| and the incandescent lamp 18 will all be deenerglzed.

Let it be assumed now that it is desired to effect a cleansing cycle including both rinsing and washing steps by the manual control of the attendant, that is, let it be assumed that it is desired to effect a cleansing cycle wherein the rinsing and washing steps can be effected as long as is desired. To effect a rinse, the control member 18 will be moved in a clockwise direction to the first rinse position. This operation of the control member will operate the inlet valve controlling cam 85 so that its lift 88 engages its switch 8| to close it, thereby energizing the electromagnetic device 31b to open the inlet valve 31. The cams 88, 88, 81 and 18 controlling the impeller motor 2|, the detergent valve 88, the drain valve 8| and the program motor 1| will have no controlling action on these members and they will remain in the condition they were before, when the control member 18 was in the 011" position. The cam 18 controlling the incandescent lamp 18, however, will have been operated to close the switch 15 so as to energize the lamp 18. Under these conditions, water will flow freely from the supply source 38 and into the vat through the reaction spray device 28 so as to effect a rinsing action on the dishes. The water gravitating to the bottom of the vat will flow directly into the drain 29. As long as the control member 18 is in this rinse position, the above action will take place.

Now if it be desired effect a washing action on the dishes by the action of the impeller 28, the control member 18 will be moved in a clockwise direction from the first rinse" to the first we-sh" position. This operation will operate the cam so as to bring its liit 8i into such a position that it will close the switch 88 thereby energizing the impeller motor 2|; the cam 88 will be moved to a new position, but the lift 88 will still engage the switch 8| so as to hold the inlet valve 81 in its open position; the cam 81 will be moved to such a position that its. lift 82 will engage the switch 88 so as to energize the electromagnet 88 toclose the drain valve 8|; and the cam 18 will still hold the switch 18 closed so as to maintain the lamp 18 energized. The cam 88 will have no controlling action on the detergent valve 88 and the cam 13 will have no controlling action on the program motor 1|. In view of the foregoing operation oi the control member 10, therefore, the impeller motor 2| will be energized to operate the impeller, the inlet valve will be opened and the drain valve will be closed so as to allow the water supplied to the vat to accumulate therein for engagement by the impeller.

As pointed out previously, it is contemplated that when a predetermined quantity of water has been supplied to the vat the inlet valve 81 will be automatically operated to close. This control is eifected by means of a'switch 88 connected in the energizing circuit of the electromagnetic device 3111. This switch 88 is controlled by an electromagnetic device 95. The energizing coil of this device 85 is connected directly in the armature circuit of the motor 2! so that its energization is proportional to the magnitude of the armature current of the motor 2|, and hence, to the load imposed on the motor. As the water continues to flow into the vat from the supply source the load imposed upon the impeller 28 as it engages the water to hurl it upwardly in the vat will gradually increase until eventually when a predetermined quantity of water has been supplied to the vat, the load will have attained such a magnitude that it will energize the coil 85 sufficiently to open the switch 88.

When this occurs, the electromagnetic device 31b will be deenergized and the valve 31 will be moved to close the inlet supply by the spring 31a.

Therefore, when the control member 18 is moved to its wash position, a predetermined quantity of water will be measured and supplied to the vat and the impeller motor 2! will be energized to circulate this water upwardly and outwardly through the dishes to effect a washing action on them. This washing operation will continue as long as the control member 18 is in its wash position.

It is to be understood that the control member 18 can be moved directly to the wash position to effect the washing action without effecting the rinsing cleansing step, and that the rinsing step can be had without the washing step, if desired.

If it is desired to operate the motor 2| so as to drive an auxiliary appliance from the socket 88 without at the same time effecting any cleansing action, the control member 18 will be moved to its first controlling position indicated "motor". In this position of the control member 18, the cam member 88 will be in such a position that its lift 98 will close the switch to energize the motor 2|. The remaining cams in this position of the control member will effect no controlling action whatsoever upon their associated switches, with the exception of the switch 15 which be closed to energize the lamp 14. The motor will continue to Op erate the socket 86 as long as the control member 10 is in the motor position. Any suitable device, such as a power shaft 66a can be driven from the socket 68. The shaft 66a in turn may be used to drive any suitable appliance.

The control member 10 may be moved completely through its manual sector including the positions "motor", "rinse", and "wash", without moving the motor 1I because of the provision of the friction clutch 60 between the shaft 66 and the motor permitting independent motion of the shaft.

If it be desired to effect an automatic washing operation including rinsing and Washing steps, the control member 10 will be moved to its position indicated "rinse auto", wherein the machine will be in automatic control of the program motor 1|. Assuming that the control member 10 has been moved to this automatic controlling position, the cams will have been moved to such positions that the lift 91 of the cam 64 will have been moved to close the switch 60 thereby energizing the motor 2|; the lift 98 of the cam 65 will have been moved to close the switch 6I thereby energizing the electromagnet 31b to open the inlet valve 31; the cam 16 will still hold the lamp 14 energized; and the lift I of the cam 13 will have been moved to close the switch 12 thereby energizing the program motor H. The cam 66 controlling the detergent valve 54 and the cam 61 controlling the drain valve will have been moved to such positions that the switches 62 and 63 will occupy low portions of the cams whereby the detergent valve 54 will remain closed and the drain valve 4I will be opened. Under these conditions, as previously pointed out, the water supplied to the vat will effect a rinsing action on the dishes therein.

The motor 1I, however, continues to advance the cam shaft 66 and the control member 10 attached to it. When the control member 10 arrives at the position indicated Wash" in the automatic range, the lift 91 of cam 64 will maintain the motor 2i energized and the lift 96 of cam 65 will hold the valve 31 in its open position. The lift IOI of the cam 66 will close the switch 62 so as to energize the electromagnet 54b to open the detergent valve 54; as long as the lift MI is in engagement with the switch 62 and the inlet valve 31 is open water will be diverted to the detergent cylinder to supply detergent to the vat. The lift I02 of the cam 61 will be moved to a position to energize the electromagnet 46 to close the drain valve 4I, while the earns 13 and 16 will maintain the program motor H and the incandescent lamp 14 energized. The lifts on the cams are so arranged that during the "wash" range the drain valve U will remain closed, thereby allowing the water supplied to the vat to accumulate therein. During this operation, when the load imposed on the impeller motor 2i attains a predetermined magnitude, that is, when a predetermined quantity of water has been supplied to the vat, the electromagnet 95 will be energized to open its switch 94 thereby closing the valve 31 to shut 011 the water supply. Under these conditions, the apparatus will effect the washing action on the dishes, as previously described. The lift IOI of the detergent cam 66 will be sufficiently long to hold the detergent valve 54 open as long as any water is flowing to the vat through the valve 31.

This action will take place until the program motor has operated the cam shaft 66 and the control member to the "drain range wherein the drain valve cam 61 brings its low portion I03 to the switch 63 which is then allowed to open. This deenergizes the electromagnet 46 thereby permitting the drain valve 4| to be opened by its spring 45. The low portion I04 of cam 65 holds the inlet switch 6| in its open position thereby preventing energization of the electromagnet 31b to open the inlet valve 31. No water is now flowing into the vat and the drain valve has been opened to allow the vat to drain.

The motor H is continuously advancing the cams and when it moves them to the second wash" range, the inlet cam 65 and the drain cam 61 are moved from their draining positions and the lifts I05 and I06 of these cams will engage the associated switches 6I and 63 to close them, thereby opening the inlet valve 31 to permit water to flow to the vat and closing the drain valve H to permit the water supply to accumulate in the vat; the motor 2i will be energized through the drain and "wash ranges because the lift 31 of the cam 64 will maintain the switch 60 closed; the cams 16 and 13 will maintain the incandescent lamp 14 and the program motor 1I energized through this second wash" range. As before, the electromagnet 95 will operate when a predetermined quantity of water has been supplied to the vat to shut off the supply valve 31. In this case, however, no detergent is supplied to the vat.

The washing operation will continue until the program motor has driven the cam shaft through the second "wash range to the second "drain" range. When the shaft arrives at this range, the drain valve cam 61 will move its low portion I06 to allow the switch 63 to open to thereby deenergize the electromagnet 46 so as to permit the drain valve H to open, and the low portion- IIO of the supply cam 65 will ailow\the switch 6i to open so as to prevent the opening of the inlet valve 31 during the draining step. The incandescent lamp 14 will remain energized and so will the impeller motor 2| and the program motor 1I.

When the program motor advances the shaft 68 so that the control member 10 arrives at the second rinse" range in the automatic cycle, the lift III of the inlet valve cam 65 will operate to close the switch 6i, thereby energizing the electromagnet 31b to open the inlet valve. As before, water will flow into the vat so as to effect a rinsing action on the dishes, the drain valve 4I being open at this time to permit the rinse water to flow directly to the drain. The cam lift 91 of the motor cam 64 will ride off of its switch 60 so as to effect a deenergization of the impeller motor 2|. The program motor and the incandescent lamp 14, however, will remain energized during the final "rinse range.

Eventually the program motor 1I will advance the cam shaft 66 through the rinse" range and approach the off" position. During the operation, the lift III of cam 65 will ride from its switch 6i thereby permitting the inlet valve 31 to close. When the control member 10 reaches its oif" position, the lift I00 of the program motor cam 13 will move from its switch 12 thereby deenergizing the program motor, and the cam 16 will have brought its low portion II! to its switch so as to permit it to open to deenergize the lamp 14.

This completes the cycle of operation and conditions the apparatus for subsequent cleansing operations either under manual or automatic control.

It will be understood that the cam lifts will be so arranged that each cleansing and draining step of the automatic cycle will be assigned a certain time interval of the total time interval it takes to operate the cam shaft through the automatic sector or range. In a specific example, it is contemplated that this total time will be fifteen minutes and that the cleansing and drain steps will be timed approximatey as follows: The dishes will receive the first rinse for say 1 and /2 minutes, the first wash for 5 minutes, the first drairLwill be accomplished in minute, the second wash will be effected for say 5 minutes, the second drain likewise will have a minute interval, while the final rinse will be given 1 and minutes. It is contemplated that the timing motor will operate a short interval of time to bring itself into the off position.

It is to be understood that it is not necessary to go through the complete automatic washing cycle, but if it is desired any one or more of the steps of this cycle may be eliminated. For example, if the control member 10 be moved directly to the first wash position in the automatic range, the program motor H will be energized to operate the shaft 6! to complete the automatic cycle from that position. Again, the control member 10 may be moved directly to the second wash position and the automatic timing motor will then complete merely the final wash" and the final rinse of the automatic cycle.

Moreover, if the control member II has been moved to its first rinse position in the automatic cycle so as to start the cycle, the control member can be advanced to any succeeding cleansing step or advanced to the off position so as to eliminate certain of the succeeding steps, if it be desired to do so, or to eliminate all of these steps if it be so desired.

In other words, the control of this invention is very flexible in that it is possible to obtain either a rinsing or a washing step in a manually controlled sector so that the rinsing and washing steps can be efiected for indefinite periods of time if it be desired, or any one of a plurality of cleansing steps can be effected in an automatic timed cycle. Again, any one of these latter steps can be omitted or included in the timed cycle, as desired.

While I have shown a particular embodiment of my invention, it will be understood, of course, that I do not wish to be limited thereto since many modifications may be made, and I, therefore, contemplate by the appended claims to cover any such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of my invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

1. In washing apparatus which can perform a series of operations in a washing cycle and in which the operation being performed is determined by the position of a control member, power means for moving said control member, mane ual means for moving said control member independently of said power means, means operated by said control member to make said power means operative when said control member is in one part of its range of movement and inoperative when in another part, each of said parts of the range of movement of said control member including diiierent positions in which said apparatus is caused to perform different ones of said series of operations.

2. In wish washing apparatus provided with a vat, means for supplying liquid to and draining liquid from said vat, and means for circulating liquid in said vat, control means for said apparatus comprising electroresponsive means for controlling said liquid supply and draining means to control the admission of liquid to and the drainage of liquid from said vat, and also controlling the operation of said liquid circulating means, switching means controlling the operation of said electroresponsive means, manually operable means selectively operable to a plurality of controlling positions within a predetermined range of movement controlling the operation of said switching means so as to operate said electroresponsive means in accordance with the operation of said manually operable means to its controlling podtions within said range and motive means controlled by said manually operable means when in another range of movement for operating said switching means to control the operation of said electroresponsive means automatically so as to effect a predetermined sequence in their operation.

3. In washing apparatus provided with a vat, a fiuid supply conduit communicating with said vat, a valve controlling said supply conduit, a drain valve for said vat, means controlling the operation of said valves, control means for said apparatus comprising a motor for operating said controlling means and a manually operable control member for said controlling means and said motor operably associated with them to effect a manual control of the operation of said fiuid supply and drain valves when said control member is moved through a predetermined range of movement and to control said motor to control automatically the operation of said fluid supply and drain valves when said control member is moved beyond said predetermined range of movement to a predetermined position.

4. In dishwashing apparatus provided with a vat, a fluid supply conduit communicating with the vat, a valve controlling the conduit, and a drain valve for the vat, control means for said apparatus comprising electroresponsive means controlling the operation of said fiuid supply and drain valves, switches controlling the energization of said electroresponsive means, cams arranged to operate said switches, a manually operable control member for operating said cams selectively to each of a plurality of controlling positions when said control member is operated through a predetermined range of movement and a motor controlled by said control member when moved beyond said predetermined range of movement for operating said cams automatically to a plurality of successive controlling positions.

5. In washing apparatus having a plurality of control means each placeable in a plurality of positions so that said apparatus can perform a series of operations in a washing cycle, a rotatable shaft, cams on said shaft for positioning said control means, said cams being shaped to position said control means so that said apparatus performs different operations of said series when said shaft is in different angular positions, power means to rotate said shaft, manual means to rotate said shaft independently of said power means and means on said shaft to make said power means operative when said shaft is in one part of its range of rotation and inoperative when it is in another part, each of said parts of said range of rotation of said shaft including angular positions in which said cams position said control means to cause said apparatus to perform different ones of its series of operations.

6. In dishwashing apparatus having a vat, a fluid supply conduit communicating with the vat, a valve controlling the conduit, a drain valve for the vat, a fluid circulating impeller in said vat, and a motor for driving said impeller, control means for said apparatus comprising electroresponsive means controlling the operation of said fluid supply and drain valves, switches controlling the energization of said electroresponsive means and said motor, cams arranged to operate said switches, a second motor arranged to drive said cams to a plurality of successive controlling positions so as to operate said switches to effect a predetermined cycle of operation of said fluid supply and drain valves and said impeller motor, a switch controlling said second motor, a cam arranged to operate said switch and a manually operable control member for said cams selectively operable to a plurality of controlling positions wherein in certain of said positions said electroresponsive means are operated by said switches to control said valves and said motor while said second motor is deenergized and in another controlling position said second motor is energized to drive said cams to said successive controlling positions.

7. In washing apparatus provided with a vat, a fluid supply conduit communicating with the vat, a valve controlling the supply conduit, a drain valve for the vat, operating means for the fluid supply and said drain valves, a fluid circulating impeller, and an electric motor for driving said impeller, control means for said apparatus comprising switches arranged to control the operation of said valve operating means and said motor, a program motor for operating said switches, a switch controlling said program motor, and a manually operable member controlling all of said switches so that when said member is operated in a predetermined direction to successive controlling positions certain of said switches are operated to effect the operation of said valves and said impeller motor in a predetermined sequence independently of said program motor and when moved in said direction to another controlling position said switch controlling the operation of said program motor is operated to cause said program motor to control the operation of the other of said switches to effect the operation of said valves and impeller motor in a predetermined sequence.

8. In dishwashing apparatus comprising a vat, means controlling the admission to and the drainage of fluid from said vat, and power-operated means for circulating the fluid in said vat. control means for said apparatus comprising a manually operable control member selectively operable to a plurality of controlling positions within a predetermined range of angular movement, a program motor, means controlling the operation of said program motor respon ively to the operation of said manually operable control member into one portion of said predetermined range of movement, and means operated by said control member when operated within another portion of said range of movement controlling the operation of said fluid supply and dra nage control means and said fluid circulating means, and said means also controlled by said program motor when said control member is moved into said one portion of said predetermined range to operate said members in a predetermined sequence.

9. In dishwashing apparatus having a vat, a fluid circulating impeller in said vat, a motor for driving said impeller, fluid supply and drain valves for said vat, control means for said apparatus comprising a program motor, electroresponsive means for operating the fluid supply and drain valves, switches controlling the energization of said electroresponsive means, and said impeller and program motors, cams controlling said switches, a shaft for said cams, a friction clutch between said program motor and said shaft and a manually operable control member for operating said shaft, said cams arranged when said control member is operated in a pre-v determined range to operate said switches for said fluid supply and drain valves and impeller motor to control the operation of these members, said friction clutch providing for independent movement of said shaft relative to said program motor through said range of movement, but when said control member is moved beyond said range to a predetermined position said program motor is controlled to operate said shaft by means of said friction clutch to control the operation of said fluid supply and drain valves and said impeller motor.

10. In dishwashing apparatus having a vat, a fluid circulating impeller in said vat, a motor for driving said impeller, fluid supply and drain valves for said vat, control means for said apparatus comprising a program motor, electromagnetic devices for operating said fluid supply and drain valves respectively, switching means controlling the energization of said impeller and program motor and of said electromagnetic devices respectively, a manually operable control member movable through a predetermined range of movement, means controlled by said manually operable control member controlling the operation of said switching means so that when said member is operated manually through a predetermined portion of said range of movement said switching means are operated to control said valves and said motor at the will of the attendant, and when manually moved to a predetermined position beyond said range said program motor is operated, and a driving connection between said program motor and said switching means.

1i. In washing apparatus which can perform a series of operations in a washing cycle and in which the operation being performed is determined by the position of a control member, power means for moving said control member, manual means for moving said control member independently of said power means, means,,operated by said control member to make said power means operative when said member is in one part of its range of movement and inoperative when in another part, each of said parts of said range of movement including different positions in which said apparatus is caused to perform different ones of its series of operations, and said manual means arranged to move said control member in either direction independently of said power means and irrespective of the position of said member within said range of movement.

12. In washing apparatus which can perform a series of operations in a cleansing cycle and in which the operation being performed is determined by the angular position of a control shaft, power means for rotating said shaft, manual means for rotating said shaft independently of said power means, means on said shaft to make said power means operative when said shaft is in one part of its range of rotation and inoperative when said shaft is in another part, each of the parts of said range of rotation including different angular positions in which said apparatus is caused to perform different ones of its series of operations, and the manual means arranged to rotate said control shaft in either direction independently of said power means.

13. In washing apparatus provided with a vat and a fluid supply and drain valves, control means for said apparatus comprising a motor, meansoperated by said motor controlling the operatiomof said fluid supply and drain valves to operate said valves in a predetermined cycle of operation, and means constructed and arranged to control the operation of said lastnamed means independently of the operation of said motor so as to omit or repeat at will selected steps of said cycle of operation.

14. In washing apparatus which can perform a series of operations in a cleansing cycle and in which the operation being performed is determined by the angular position of a control shaft, control means for said apparatus comprising a motor, a friction clutch effecting a driving connection between said motor and said shaft, manual means to rotate said shaft independently of said motor, said friction clutch providing for the independent rotation of said shaft, means on said shaft to make said power means operative when said shaft is in one part of its range of rotation and inoperative when in another part, each of the parts of said range of rotation including different angular positions in which said apparatus is caused to perform different ones of said series of operations, and said friction clutch permitting said manual means to operate said shaft while under the control of said motor, to advance or reverse it to any one of said angular positions.

15. In a machine which can perform a series of operations and in which the operation being performed is determined by the position of a control member having power means to move said member and manual means to move said member independently of the power means, means controlled by the member to make the power means operative when the member is in one part of its range of movement and inoperative when in another part, each of the parts of the range of movement of the member including different positions in which the machine is caused to perform different ones of its series of operations.

16. In washing apparatus having a vat, fluid supply and .drain valves for said vat, a motor, cams operated by said motor, 'a friction clutch connecting said motor to said cams, means operated by said cams controlling the operation of said fluid supply and drain valves in a predetermined cycle of operation, and means for advancing said cams to predetermined controlling positions so as to eliminate the steps of said cycle corresponding to the preceding controlling positions independently of said motor, which thereupon operates said cams to succeeding controlling positions to complete said cycle, said friction clutch providing for relative movement between said cams and said motor by said last named means.

17. In dishwashing apparatus having a. vat, a fluid circulating impeller, a motor for driving said impeller, and fluid supply and drain valves for said vat, control means for said apparatus comprising a program motor, a member controlling the operation of said fluid supply and drain valves, said impeller motor and said program motor, a friction clutch between said program motor and said member, and a manually operable control member for operating said member to control said fluid supply and drain valves and impeller motor by manual operation of said control member through a predetermined range of movement, said friction clutch providing for independent movement of said member relative to said program motor through said range of movement, and by manual operation of said control member beyond said range to a predetermined position to control said program motor'to operate said member by means of said friction clutch to control the operation of said fluid supply and drain valves and said impeller motor.

18. In a machine which can perform a series of operations and in which the operation being performed is determined by the angular position of a control shaft having power means to rotate it and manual means to rotate it in either direction independently of the power means, means on the shaft to make the power means operative when the Shaft is in one part of its range of rotation and inoperative when the shaft is in another part, each of the parts of the range of rotation of the shaft including different angular positions in which the machine is caused to perform different ones of its series of operations, the manual means arranged to rotate said shaft in either direction independently of the power means.

19. In a machine having a plurality of control means each placeable in a plurality of positions, a rotatable shaft, cams on the shaft for positioning the control means, the cams being shaped to position the control means so that the machine performs different operations of a series when the shaft is in different angular positions, power means to rotate the shaft and manual means to rotate the shaft independently of the power means, means on the shaft to make the power means operative when the shaft is in one part of its range of rotation and inoperative when it is in another part, each of the parts of the range of rotation of the shaft including angular positions in which the cams position the control means to cause the machine to perform diflerent ones of its series of operations.

20. In washing apparatus having controlling elements arranged to be operated in a predetermined sequence so that said apparatus can perform a series of operations in a washing cycle, a manually operable master control member, means controlling the operation of said elements controlled by said master control member by movement thereof to selected controlling positions in one part of its range of movement to eflect operations of said series corresponding to said positions, and means controlled by said master control member by movement thereof in another part of its range of movement so as to effect automatically different steps of said series in a predetermined cycle.

BENJAMIN W. JONES.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION. Patent No. 2,155,271. 9 April 18, 1959.

BENJAMIN w. JONES.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 2, second column, line 75, for the word "opener" read opened; page 1;, first column, line "(5, after "desired" insert to; and second column, line 75, after "which" insert will; page 6, second column, line 3, claim 2, for "wish washing" read dishwashing; page 7, first column, line 51..., claim 7, for "the" second occurrence, read said; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office. I

Signed and sealed this 50th day of May, A. D. 1959.

Henry Van Arsdale' (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION. Patent No. 2,155,271. April 18, 1959.

1 BENJAMIN w. JONES. 7

It is hereby'certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 2, second column, line 75, for the word "opener" read opened; page h, first column, line 75, after "desired" insert to;and second column, line 75, after "which" insert will; page 6, second column, line 5, claim 2, for "wish washing" read dishwashing; page 7, first column, line 5b,, claim 7, for "the" second occurrence, read said; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with 1 this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 50th day of May, A. D. 1959.

Henry Van Arsdale' (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

